Albert Ayler

Albert Ayler was a towering figure within the world of jazz and his unorthodox avant-garde style has inspired generations of players who wish to explore music without conventional constraints. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1936 and was introduced to the saxophone by his father Edward, a semi-professional musician. Ayler Sr. and his son would entertain the local church community with their alto sax duets and this exposure to the church had a great influence on Albert who often referenced spirituality in his later playing.

During his twenties Ayler matured as a player and this coincided with the birth of the free jazz movement in the 1960s. During this period Ayler recorded some ground-breaking albums including 'Spiritual Unity' in 1964. It features two versions of 'Ghosts', a track which is perhaps the artist's best known composition.

Whether Ayler can truly be classed as a free jazz player has been the subject of debate amongst jazz enthusiasts for decades and still remains contentious to this day. The simple fact is Ayler's virtuosity on his instrument almost defies classification and regardless of how listeners try to categorise Ayler's playing, one thing most listeners can agree on is Ayler was an extraordinary saxophone player.

Ayler disappeared in New York in early November 1970 and was found dead later that month in the East River. Initially it was believed he had been murdered but it later transpired Ayler had been displaying suicidal tendencies for some time and it's thought he died by his own hand.